There were a number of things that happened that really underscore some of the stuff we have been talking about. Firstly, the incredible dynamic of a number of people of faith getting together to celebrate life, and giving, and community.
(Do you think there might be a bit of dancing in heaven? I suspect there might be.)
Not that this was a 'Christian' event, but more that so many of the people that went were 'family' in that sense. I wonder how much we underestimate the power of incarnational witness - just being a follower of Christ and living as ourselves reveals the grace and connection of the 'life of God'. One of our close friends (a 'not-yet Christian') mentioned at the end of the evening that there was such a joy, a happiness about the whole event. For them it was a remarkable evening, full of light, laughter and inclusiveness.
A couple of guys arrived that had clearly been drinking a bit on the way. They were met and greeted and included. It was really interesting to talk with them and find out where they were at, and what brought them to the evening. Later it struck us how easy it would be to simply react to them sucking on a couple of tinnies and turn them away.
By the end of the evening they were really enthusiastic about the dancing - despite not being 'very good at it'. It struck me that this is exactly the people that Jesus was condemned for associating with:
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.” (Matthew 11:18-19)
These guys, not knowing 'the protocol', had made a mistake of having a couple of beers on the way to our 'family friendly' Bush Dance. What an amazing metaphor for the message of the Gospel of God ... They had not met the performance requirements, but were accepted and welcomed anyway, and their attitude totally reflected that acceptance.
They were valued for who they were, not judged for 'what they had done', making them free to respond naturally and generously.
Another visitor was an Iranian guy, 28 years old, and who had apparently suffered horribly there before escaping to find refuge in Australia. He is a delightful young man ... and it was his birthday ... and he was so included by everyone. It was like he suddenly had a whole bunch of people he had never met before celebrating his birthday with him. Highly educated and lawyer qualified back in Iran he privately conceded to struggling with English and the culture of this strange but wonderful land he now finds himself in. But he seemed so happy to simply be there.
There is such power in unconditional acceptance and inclusiveness.
'The Shaping of Things to Come' is a fascinating read. It discusses a more real and inclusive way of being the people of God. It speaks of being in the world, but not of the world, and of reaching out to serve others in ways that meet their needs, not our own. No agendas, no mixed motives. Just caring for others like the Son demonstrated in His care for us. While we were His enemies - and didn't even know that we were - He laid down His life for us.
The Bush Dance attracts all kinds of people, all ages, and diverse backgrounds. Large families, lonely singles, youth, a whole birthday party of teenagers that decided that a Bush Dance would make for a cool party, locals, city folk, friends, couples with very young kids ... the common thing is that they all want to celebrate together, with both friends and complete strangers, this gift of life and community.
Some people brought guests from interstate, others from the Netherlands - they had a ball. The musicians - Peter and Julian - donated their time and skill for the evening, bringing an extra dimension with live music, some their own compositions. Many local businesses donated prizes for the raffle, meaning that many people left with more than they came with.
Bush Dances are messy. Not everyone can dance. Not everyone can keep time to the music. They are crowded - you keep bumping into people. And they are tiring, involving lots of energy and constant movement. They can be confusing too because some of the steps and movements are quite involved. Just who am I supposed to be dancing with?
But the delicious thing about a Bush Dance is that none of that really matters. It's not what you are doing, or even how you are doing it, that matters. It is the fact that you are there. To smile and to laugh and to just be involved, included and accepted as part of a celebration that is so much more than anything you could create for yourself. A celebration of life.
Perhaps that's part of what it means to be a follower of Christ. The important this is that you are there ... to celebrate this life that has been given to us, to be involved and accepted.
... and speaking of delicious, Frost and Hirsch's book also makes some fascinating observations about the movie 'Chocolat'. Provocative movie, particularly in the way it makes a stark distinction between being 'good' and being 'pious'.
But that is for next time.
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